View finder

ABSTRACT

A view finder is provided for a camera wherein the latter is adapted to accommodate film cartridges or packets of two different sizes. The viewfinder is carried on the camera and is adapted to automatically vary by means of an adjustably mounted masking piece the size of the viewing area to be observed through the viewfinder so as to coordinate same with the size film being used in the camera. The adjustment of the masking piece is effected during loading of a given size film cartridge into the camera. Thus, the viewfinder facilitates proper manual aligning of the camera lens with the subject being photographed.

United States Patent 91 Faris et al.

[451 Oct. 16, 1973 [54] VIEW FINDER 847,990 9/l960 Great Britain 95/31DS [75] Inventors: Edwin E. Far-is, Wyckoff; Richard Kopala, RochellePark, both of NJ. Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews AssistantExaminer-E. M. Bero [73] Assignee. Berkey Photo, Inc., Paramus, NJ.Atmmey Albert H. Pendleton et al- [22] Filed: July 3, 1972 [21] Appl.No.: 268,574 ABSTRACT 52 us. (:1. 95/11 v, 95/31 CA, 95/31 DS A Viewfinder is provided for a Camera wherein the 51 Int. Cl. G03b 19/00latter is adapted to accommodate film cartridges or 58 Field of Search95/31 DS, 31 CA, Packets of two different sizes- The viewfinder is 95 1V, 96 ried on the camera and is adapted to automatically vary by meansof an adjustably mounted masking 5 References Cited piece the size ofthe viewing area to be observed UNITED STATES PATENTS through theviewfinder so as to coordinate same with the size film being used in thecamera. The adjustment of the masking piece is effected during loadingof a 22471O4 6/194] 22215 95,31 DS given size film cartridge into thecamera. Thus, the 3 678 827 7 1972 Ea le...1 .1....... 9 5/31CAXviewfinder facilitates Proper manual aligning the camera lens with thesubject being photographed.

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,280,050 10/1968 Germany 95/11 V 9Claims, 6 Drawing Figures l0 2/ M a i /a P 24 /4 4 A 23 /5 ,r s7 30 I 26"I 3/ H I l (p I b I I I IUI-7"I'III'I@7 2 c PATENTEDHBI 16 1915 3765313SHEET 2 OF 2 VIEW FINDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In cameras capableof accommodating different size film, it is oftentimes difficult for aninexperienced operator to adjust the camera relative to the subjectbeing photographed so that the latter will be properly located on thephotograph which will be ultimately produced from the particular filmbeing used. Even with an experienced operator, considerable time andadjustment are required to properly compensate for the variation in filmsize.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is an object of the invention toprovide a viewfinder which will automatically compensate for the varioussize film being used in the camera; and, thus, greatly reduce theincidents of inferior photographs being taken with the camera.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a viewfinder which isof simple, compact construction and does not require one of exceptionaltalent or expertise to correctly utilize said device.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a viewfinderwhich may be mounted directly on the camera housing and does not in anyway interfere with the normal operation of the camera itself.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a viewfinderwhich utilizes a minimal number of component parts and does not requirefrequent adjustment or servicing.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description,accompanying drawings and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a viewfinder isprovided for use on a camera which is adapted to accommodate filmpackets or cartridges of two different sizes. The camera is providedwith an opaque housing having a focusing lens mounted on the front endthereof, and a cartridge holder mounted within the housing and disposedrearwardly of the lens. The area of exposure of the film containedwithin the smaller cartridge is less than the area of exposure of thefilm contained in the larger cartridge; and, thus, the viewfinder isadapted to automatically compensate for this area variation. Theviewfinder includes a tubular member or casing which is mounted on thecamera housing. Disposed within the casing, and in axially spacedrelation with respect to one another are first and second lenses.Adjustably mounted within the casing and disposed intermediate thelenses is a masking piece. When the masking piece is in one position ofadjustment, a portion of the viewing are of one of the lenses is blockedout. When the masking piece is in a second position of adjustment, theviewing area of both lenses is not obstructed by the masking piece. Themasking piece is biased to assume one of the positions of adjustment.Adjustably connected to the masking piece is an actuating element. Aportion of the actuating element is disposed adjacent the film cartridgeholder and is adapted to be engaged only by one size cartridge when thelatter is disposed within said holder; and, thus, overcome the biasexerted on the masking piece and move the latter to the other positionof adjustment.

DESCRIPTION For a more complete understanding of the invention referenceshould be made to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, top, front view of one form of the improvedviewfinder shown mounted on the exterior of a camera housing;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, top view of the viewfinder of FIG. 1with portions thereof removed to expose various components disposedwithin the viewfinder casing and the rear of the camera housing andshowing a small size film cartridge loaded in the holder disposedadjacent the rear of the camera housing; a larger film cartridge isshown in phantom lines accommodated in said holder;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken along line 3-3of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary rear view of the camera of FIG. 1with a portion of the camera housing removed and exposing the filmcartridge holder disposed therein and the actuating element of theviewfinder shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective, schematic view ofcertain of the components of the viewfinder of FIG. 2 with the maskingpiece and actuating element shown in phantom lines in a changedposition;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 2 but showing the masking piece and actuatingelement of a modified form of the improved viewfinder.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, a camera10 is shown which is adapted for use with cartridges C and C of filmwherein the size of the negatives and/or the picture produced by saidfilm may vary to a substantial extent. For example, cartridges ofself-developing film, which are presently available on the retail marketcome in two sizes, one of which produces substantially square picturesmeasuring approximately 3X3 inches and the other size producingrectangular pictures measuring approximately 3X3% inches. Because of thesize differential of the two pictures, it is important to compensate forthis fact when photographing a particular subject so that a qualitypicture will be produced with the subject thereof properly centered inthe picture regardless of which size film is being used.

The cartridges containing the various size film are disposable and havedifferent exterior dimensions; for example, the cartridge C for thesmall size film measures approximately 3% X Y4 X 4-7/16 inches, whereasthe cartridge C for the large size film measures approximately 3-% X ifX 5- /4 inches. The importance of the variation in the length dimensionsof the two cartridges will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

Basically, camera 10, as seen in FIG. 1, includes a housing 11 formed ofopaque material; a lens 12 mounted on the front end of the housing;shutter means, not shown, for controlling the light rays passing throughthe lens; a cover 13 adjustably mounted on the back side of the housingto permit loading and unloading of the camera; and the viewfinder 14mounted on the top panel 11a of the housing.

The illustrated embodiment of the viewfinder 14 includes a casing 15 ofopaque material which may be molded or otherwise secured to the exteriorof the camera housing 11. The casing 15 is positioned adjacent the rearportion of the housing 11 and has mounted therein an eyepiece 16, afirst lens 17 and a second lens 18. The eyepiece and the two lenses 17and 18 are arranged in axially spaced relation. The axis of saideyepiece and lenses is substantially parallel to the optical axis of thelens 12 mounted on the front end of the housing 11.

Also disposed within casing 15 and positioned intermediate lenses 17 and18 is an adjustable masking piece 20. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, themasking piece 20 is mounted so as to pivot about a fixed pin 21 which isdisposed intermediate the ends of the piece. The forward end of piece20, that is the end closest to lens 18, is provided with an upstandingslightly curved flange 22. The flange 22 serves to mask out a portion ofthe viewing area of the lens 18 when the piece 20 is in one position Aof pivotal adjustment, see FIGS. 2 and 5. Thus, when the piece 20 is inposition A, the viewing area seen through the viewfinder 10 will bereduced and conform substantially to the area of the small size picturewhich will result from exposure of a portion of the film containedwithin the'cartridge C when the latter is loaded into the camera. Withthe masking piece 20 in position A, the person utilizing the cameraloaded with the small film can readily observe through the viewfinderhow the subject will eventually appear in the picture before the latteris taken.

When the masking piece 20 is in position B, as seen in FIG. 5, theupstanding flange does not obstruct the viewing area as seen through theviewfinder and thus, the viewing area will conform substantially to thearea of the larger size picture resulting when the larger film cartridgeC is loaded in the camera.

In the form of viewfinder 14, shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the masking piece20 is biased by a coil spring 23 to assume position A. One end of spring23 is inserted through an opening 24 formed in the forward end of piece20. The other end of the spring is connected to a fixed pin 25, disposedwithin the casing 15.

An elongated lever 26 is provided, see FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, to effectmovement of piece 20 from position A to position B. One end 26a of thelever is connected by pin 27 to the rear end of piece 20. The oppositeend 26b of the lever is offset and is adapted to be engaged by one endof the larger size cartridge C when the latter is loaded into thecamera.

When either cartridge C or C is loaded into the rear end of the camera,it is accommodated within a rectangular holder H, see FIGS. 2 and 4,which is fixedly secured to the interior of the camera housing 11. Onetype of holder adapted to be used for this purpose is disclosed inpending US. Pat.. application Ser. No. 268,573 filed concurrentlyherewith on July 3, 1972 by Edwin E. Paris and Charles J. Hertling, andentitled CAMERA CONSTRUCTION. Briefly, the holder H is provided with anapertured base portion 28 against which the front face of the cartridgerests, and a plurality of side flanges 30 which extend rearwardly fromthe base portion and cooperate with one another to delimit a rectangulararea which is capable of receiving either size cartridge C or C Thelever 26 overlies the upper side flange of the holder and is adapted toslide endwise in one direction relative to the holder, when the offsetend 26b of the lever 26 is engaged by the cartridge C upon the latterbeing inserted into the holder H and to move endwise in the oppositedirection when cartridge C is removed from the holder. The latterendwise vmovement of the lever 26 is caused by the bias exerted by thespring 23 on the masking piece 20. A suitable slot 31 is provided in theviewfinder casing 15 and the holder H to permit endwise movement of thelever.

A modified viewfinder 114 is shown in FIG. 6. Because of the fact thatmany of the components comprising viewfinder 114 are similar to those ofviewfinder 14, such components are similarly numbered except in a onehundred series. The basic structural difference between the twoviewfinders is that in viewfinder 114, the masking piece is biased byspring 123 to normally assume position B wherein the viewing areathrough the viewfinder is not obstructed by the upstanding flange 122formed on the front end of the masking piece as in the case of piece 20shown in FIG. 5. As seen in FIG. 6, the masking piece is mounted forpivotal movement about a fixed pin 121 which is disposed adjacent therear end of the piece. An actuating lever 126 is provided for effectingmovement of the masking piece 120 from position B to position A. One end126a of the lever 126 is connected by a pin 127 to the masking piece120. The opposite end 1261: of the lever is pivotally connected at 132to a portion of the flange 30 comprising the holder I-I. Intermediatethe ends of lever 126 is a pad-like element 1260 which is adapted to beengaged by only a protuberance P formed on the exterior of the smallsize cartridge C when the latter is loaded into the holder 1'].Cartridge C cannot engage the element 1260 because said cartridge is notprovided with a corresponding exterior protuberance.

As in the case of the lever 26 of viewfinder 14, lever 126 is mounted sothat it subtends lens 117. Portions of the masking piece 120 also extendbeneath the lens 1 17 and thus movement of the lever and masking pieceare not obstructed by the lens.

Thus, with either type of viewfinder 14 or 114, the viewing area throughthe casing will be automatically varied to compensate for the particularsize film being used in the camera. No adapter or other separate deviceis required to be manually mounted on or removed from the camera when adifferent size film is being used. The improved viewfinder is of simpleand compact construction and does not interfere with or vary the mode ofoperation of the camera.

The location, size and configuration of the viewfinder may vary fromthat shown and will depend upon the camera on which it is mounted andthe various size and types of film capable of being used with thecamera.

We claim:

1. A viewfinder and camera wherein said camera comprises a housing offixed dimension, a focusing lens mounted on the front end of saidhousing and a film cartridge holder mounted within said housing adjacentthe rear end thereof, said holder being capable of accommodating filmcartridges of different sizes; said viewfinder comprising an elongatedcasing mounted on said camera housing, said casing being provided withaligned front and rear openings; lens means disposed within said casingand aligned with said front and rear openings; a masking pieceadjustably mounted within said casing and disposed adjacent said lensmeans, said masking piece including a transversely extending portionmovable between a first position adjacent the focal axis of said lensmeans and a second position remote from said focal axis upon adjustmentof said masking piece, said masking piece portion when disposed in saidfirst position restricting the size of the viewing area to be observedthrough the rear opening, lens means, and front opening of theviewfinder, said masking piece normally assuming one of said positions;and actuating means connected to said masking piece and having a portionthereof disposed adjacent the cartridge holder of said camera, saidportion of said actuating means being engaged only when one size filmcartridge is disposed within said holder whereby said masking piece isactuated and the transversely extending portion thereof is moved fromits normally assumed position to the other of said positions.

2. The viewfinder and camera of claim 1 wherein the axis of said frontand rear openings of said casing is substantially parallel to theprincipal axis of the camera focusing lens, and said casing includes aneyepiece mounted within the rear opening of said casing; said eyepiecebeing axially aligned with said lens means and the front opening of saidcasing.

3. The viewfinder and camera of claim 1 wherein said masking pieceportion normally assumes said first positron.

4. The viewfinder and camera of claim 1 wherein said masking piece ismounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis, and the transverselyextending portion of said masking piece is an upright opaque flangespaced from said pivotal axis.

5. The viewfinder and camera of claim 4 wherein the pivotal axis of saidmasking piece is disposed intermediate the opaque flange and theconnection between said actuating means and said masking piece.

6. The viewfinder and camera of claim 4 wherein said masking piece isprovided with a spring having one end thereof connected to a portion ofsaid masking piece intermediate said opaque flange and the pivotal axisof said masking piece, and the opposite end of said spring fixedlyconnected to the camera housing.

7. The viewfinder and camera of claim 4 wherein the connection betweensaid masking piece and said actuating means is disposed intermediate theopaque flange and the pivotal axis of said masking piece.

8. The viewfinder and camera of claim 4 wherein said actuating meansincludes an elongated rod mounted for longitudinal movement and havingone end thereof connected to said masking piece and the opposite endportion thereof being disposed within the camera housing and providedwith abutting means disposed adjacent said cartridge holder forengagement by one size film cartridge when the latter is being loadedinto said holder and effecting longitudinal movement of said rod in onedirection and moving the opaque flange away from its normally assumedposition with respect to the lens means axis.

9. The viewfinder and camera of claim 4 wherein said actuating meansincludes an elongated rod pivotally mounted within said camera housingand having one end of said rod connected to said masking piece, said rodhaving a pad-like portion spaced from the pivotal axis of said rod anddisposed adjacent said holder and engaged by one size film cartridge,when the latter is loaded into the holder, and effecting movement of themasking piece flange away from its normally assumed position withrespect to the lens means axis.

1. A viewfinder and camera wherein said camera comprises a housing offixed dimension, a focusing lens mounted on the front end of saidhousing and a film cartridge holder mounted within said housing adjacentthe rear end thereof, said holder being capable of accommodating filmcartridges of different sizes; said viewfinder comprising an elongatedcasing mounted on said camera housing, said casing being provided withaligned front and rear openings; lens means disposed within said casingand aligned with said front and rear openings; a masking pieceadjustably mounted within said casing and disposed adjacent said lensmeans, said masking piece including a transversely extending portionmovable between a first position adjacent the focal axis of said lensmeans and a second position remote from said focal axis upon adjustmentof said masking piece, said masking piece portion when disposed in saidfirst position restricting the size of the viewing area to be observedthrough the rear opening, lens means, and front opening of theviewfinder, said masking piece normally assuming one of said positions;and actuating means connected to said masking piece and having a portionthereof disposed adjacent the cartridge holder of said camera, saidportion of said actuating means being engaged only when one size filmcartridge is disposed within said holder whereby said masking piece isactuated and the transversely extending portion thereof is moved fromits normally assumed position to the other of said positions.
 2. Theviewfinder and camera of claim 1 wherein the axis of said front and rearopenings of said casing is substantially parallel to the principal axisof the camera focusing lens, and said casing includes an eyepiecemounted within the rear opening of said casing; said eyepiece beingaxially aligned with said lens means and the front opening of saidcasing.
 3. The viewfinder and camera of claim 1 wherein said maskingpiece portion normally assumes said first position.
 4. The viewfinderand camera of claim 1 wherein said masking piecE is mounted for pivotalmovement about a fixed axis, and the transversely extending portion ofsaid masking piece is an upright opaque flange spaced from said pivotalaxis.
 5. The viewfinder and camera of claim 4 wherein the pivotal axisof said masking piece is disposed intermediate the opaque flange and theconnection between said actuating means and said masking piece.
 6. Theviewfinder and camera of claim 4 wherein said masking piece is providedwith a spring having one end thereof connected to a portion of saidmasking piece intermediate said opaque flange and the pivotal axis ofsaid masking piece, and the opposite end of said spring fixedlyconnected to the camera housing.
 7. The viewfinder and camera of claim 4wherein the connection between said masking piece and said actuatingmeans is disposed intermediate the opaque flange and the pivotal axis ofsaid masking piece.
 8. The viewfinder and camera of claim 4 wherein saidactuating means includes an elongated rod mounted for longitudinalmovement and having one end thereof connected to said masking piece andthe opposite end portion thereof being disposed within the camerahousing and provided with abutting means disposed adjacent saidcartridge holder for engagement by one size film cartridge when thelatter is being loaded into said holder and effecting longitudinalmovement of said rod in one direction and moving the opaque flange awayfrom its normally assumed position with respect to the lens means axis.9. The viewfinder and camera of claim 4 wherein said actuating meansincludes an elongated rod pivotally mounted within said camera housingand having one end of said rod connected to said masking piece, said rodhaving a pad-like portion spaced from the pivotal axis of said rod anddisposed adjacent said holder and engaged by one size film cartridge,when the latter is loaded into the holder, and effecting movement of themasking piece flange away from its normally assumed position withrespect to the lens means axis.